Internships

Use what you’re learning in the classroom in an actual business setting. Our business internship program allows you to work in your chosen field and gain real-world experience.

Our internships are academically planned and supervised so that you get the most out of your experience. You’ll choose an internship program that relates to your major, and we’ll guide you through the process during your entire internship process.

Business students must have junior or senior status and get approval for the selected internship from the Director of Internships, Geoffrey Jervis.

1. Begin looking long before the semester starts for possible placement for your internship. Talk to everyone about your internship possibilities.

2. Come to the Director of Internship’s office to discuss what kind of internship you are seeking. The office is located on the first floor of the Rinker Building, office #1337.

3. Check not only your own sources but the resources provided by the Rinker Colllege of Business. Send out your resume to multiple employers. Career Development offers a number of resources to assist you in identifying, applying, and interviewing for internship opportunities.

4. Register for the internship course (BUSV 4713) to be taken the same semester you do your internship.

5. Complete the Internship Proposal, including a brief detailed description of the job assignment and emphasizing any projects you may be assigned during your internship.

6. Attend class and complete course requirements.

The purpose of the internship course is to provide career skill development by working in a professional setting while participating in a structured class. The work component consists of 90 hours with an approved employer and is enhanced by an RSB course consisting of assignments, threaded discussions, and class meetings. By the end of the internship, students will have: (1) gained real-life business experience, (2) learned new skills that will make them more marketable, and (3) developed long-term career and life goals and will know what it will take to accomplish those goals.

To meet the explosive needs of West Palm Beach’s business community, we have initiated a major enhancement of our Internship Program. First, we have revamped the internship course content to enhance the areas of mentoring, career selection (self-exploration, company research, resume building, and interview skills), and student communication skills. Second, we have enhanced employer feedback opportunities via questionnaires, at both the mid-point and end of the course. Third, we have developed a database of internships that provides contact information for past interns. Finally, we are enhancing our business community outreach, soliciting more opportunities from downtown West Palm Beach companies. This has become increasingly vital, with the explosive growth that West Palm Beach has seen since COVID-19.

The Rinker College of Business also partners with Career Development to provide our Mentor-Protégé Program, allowing students to participate in a one-year mentoring experience with senior managers and executives, most of whom are PBA graduates. An additional feature of this program is the monthly “Protégé Professional Development Meeting” in which proteges learn from panels of business leaders, HR representatives, career counselors, and financial experts on how to position themselves for future success in the workplace.